[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 45607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15566]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 110

[CGD08-05-045]
RIN 1625-AA01


Anchorage Regulations; Mississippi River Below Baton Rouge, LA, 
Including South and Southwest Passes

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The United States Coast Guard will meet to discuss the 
comments received relating to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) 
for Kenner Bend Anchorage as published in the Federal Register on 
Wednesday April 27, 2005.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2005, from 9 
a.m. to 12 p.m. This meeting may adjourn early if all business is 
finished.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Basement Conference Room at 
the Hale Boggs Federal Building, 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, 
Louisiana. This notice is available on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Melissa 
Owens, Waterways Management Division, telephone (504) 589-6196 
extension 396, fax (504) 589-4216.

Background

    Runway 1-19 at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International 
Airport is positioned in a north-south line running parallel to the 
Airport Access Road. Aircraft approaching the runway from the south or 
departing the runway from the north pass over the Lower Kenner Bend 
Anchorage. Due to the close proximity of Runway 1-19 to Kenner Bend, 
aircraft occasionally descend and ascend directly over vessels anchored 
in the Lower Kenner Bend Anchorage, creating a potentially dangerous 
situation that is of particular concern during periods of reduced 
visibility. Aircraft approaching the runway from the south follow a 
descending glide slope path with a minimum height of 311 feet above 
mean sea level over the Kenner Bend Anchorage. Certain vessels with 
cargo handling equipment such as cranes and boom are capable of 
extending equipment to a height upwards of 300 feet above the 
waterline. This amendment to the anchorage regulations for the 
Mississippi River below Baton Rouge, LA, including South and Southwest 
Passes is proposed to prohibit vessels that are anchored in the Lower 
Kenner Bend Anchorage from engaging in cargo transfer operations or 
exercising any shipboard equipment such as cranes and booms while at 
anchor. This proposed revision is needed to increase safety at Kenner 
Bend by reducing the potential for collision between aircraft and 
vessels anchored in the Lower Kenner Bend Anchorage.

Discussion of Issues

    The Coast Guard received three negative comments to the NPRM for 
Kenner Bend Anchorage from the Maritime Navigation Safety Association 
(MNSA), the Steamship Association of Louisiana (SALA), and the New 
Orleans and Baton Rouge Port (NOBRA) Pilots. All three organizations 
contend that the complete prohibition against using cargo-handling 
equipment is excessive, and argue that some operations should be 
allowed while at anchor. To better express their concerns, all parties 
requested a public meeting be held. This meeting is open to the public. 
Please note that the meeting may close early if all business is 
finished.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact 
Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Melissa Owens at the above phone numbers 
as soon as possible.

    Dated: July 26, 2005.
R. F. Duncan,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 05-15566 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
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